WATCHUNG — The Watchung police officer struck and killed Saturday by an unlicensed driver was honored by hundreds of fellow police officers and U.S. Air Force personnel at his funeral Thursday in Point Pleasant Beach.

Lined in formation outside St. Martha's Roman Catholic Church in Point Pleasant were more than 50 active duty U.S. Air Force personnel, as well as over 150 police officers from across Middlesex and Ocean counties. Inside the sanctuary were almost 200 more family, friends, police and military for the funeral mass.

Officer Brian Woodruff, Hoffmann's classmate at the Ocean County Police Academy, said that Hoffmann became their class leader — a position that required bravery and honor. It was a role that Hoffmann was made for, he said.

"His dedication to law enforcement in this country was only rivaled by his commitment to family and friends," Woodruff said. "Rest easy and watch over us, Chris. You will never be forgotten."